Heavy showers are set to continue this weekend, bringing the risk of more flooding problems for parts of the UK.

The Environment Agency (EA) has issued six flood warnings, its second highest alert, which means flooding is expected, with up to 20mm of rain forecast to fall in some areas. About 90 areas across England and Wales are on flood alert, the EA's lowest warning.

Meanwhile, severe weather off the coast of Scotland is thought to have led to the death of a crewman after stormy seas overcame a vessel in the North Sea. Eleven people had to be rescued when Vos Sailor, an emergency response and rescue vessel, suffered damage and started taking on water, 120 miles off Aberdeen on Scotland's north-east coast.

The Coastguard launched a rescue mission after a mayday call at 4.30am but police said one man was fatally injured. His body has not yet been recovered.

In a separate incident two anglers were caught up in a fast-flowing stream at Becketts Bank, between Peterlee and Hartlepool, and one was swept out towards the sea. The angler was found after a search and airlifted to hospital.

The coastguard urged anglers not to take risks and ensure they check the weather and tidal conditions before setting out.

Alexi Boothman, forecaster for MeteoGroup, the weather division of the Press Association, said: "The recent cold weather has meant the ground is quite frozen and we won't have the absorption of water. When there is sudden, sharp showers, like we are seeing, the water is not being absorbed and creates flood risks.

"Many areas are likely to have showers into tomorrow, particularly in the south-west of England and moving into Wales. Parts of western Cumbria and the south-west of Scotland are looking at heavy showers as well. Southern parts of Wales will see 10mm of rain."

Firefighters in Devon praised the speedy actions of three hunters who found a man desperately clinging to a tree following a flash flood.

More than 12 firefighters helped rescue the man near the River Exe. He was taken to hospital suffering with hypothermia.

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